final project report, june 2013- july 2014€¦ · final project report, june 2013- july 2014...

Final Project Report, June 2013- July 2014

Project ID: 03144313

Project Title:

Conservation Ecology of Giant Ibis in Western Siem Pang IBA

Project Location: Cambodia, Western Siem Pang IBA

Authors: Ty Srun, Yav Net, Thi Sothearen, Hong Lina and Men Mai

Project advisors: Dr. Neil Furey, Mr. Sum Phearun and Mr. Bou Vorsak

Contact address: #2, Street 476, Toul Tompung1, Chamkarmon, P.O. Box 2686, Phnom

Penh. Cambodia. Email: [email protected]

Group photo during the Giant Ibis workshop in Phnom Penh

15 December 2014

mailto:[email protected]

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Table of Contents

Section1: Summary and Background ................................................................................................... 4

Summary 4

Background 4

Section 2: Summary of Objectives, Activities and Outputs................................................................. 5

Objective 1: To reduce direct threats (hunting and nest disturbance) through community

based nest protection schemes. .......................................................................... 5

Outputs from Objective 1: ...................................................................................................... 6

Objective 2: To improve understanding of the GI population size and distribution in

Western Siem Pang.......................................................................................... 13

Outputs from Objective 2: .................................................................................................... 14

Outputs from Objective 3: .................................................................................................... 15

Section 3: Achievements and Impacts ............................................................................................... 16

Achievements ....................................................................................................................... 17

Impacts 17

Problems encountered and potential solutions ................................................................................... 18 Future planned activities .................................................................................................................... 18

Section 4: Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 19

Appendix 1 19

Appendix 2 20

GI Survey Protocol ............................................................................................................... 20

Appendix 3 24

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List of Figure

Figure 1: Translated version of poster produced for GI nest protection scheme at Western Siam

Pang ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Location of listening posts for GI during the field survey in June 2013 .............................. 8 Figure 3: Project meeting on nest location activities with BirdLife staffs in WSP ............................. 9 Figure 4: Locating Giant Ibis nests in the field at WSP....................................................................... 9 Figure 5: Location of line transects and nest locations at Western Siem Pang ................................. 10

Figure 6: Team meeting with project advisor (Dr Neil Furey) on poster designs, nest location

activities and onward planning .......................................................................................................... 10 Figure 7: Project meeting with village chief and local communities ................................................. 11 Figure 8: Building wooden frames for project awareness posters ..................................................... 11 Figure 9: A fruitful trip in constructing and installing the project poster .......................................... 12

Figure 10: Group photo with local community .................................................................................. 12 Figure 11: Constructing an anti-predator baffle on a Giant Ibis nest tree at night in WSP (to avoid

disturbance to the nesting birds) ........................................................................................................ 12 Figure 12: Giant Ibis nest built on an unsuitable small branch .......................................................... 13 Figure 13: One egg left in the nest and one chick felled down from the above unsuitable nest........ 13 Figure 14: Group photo and data record during field survey ............................................................. 14 Figure 15: Some key wildlife took during field survey ..................................................................... 15

Figure 16: Presentation and group discussion during Giant Ibis workshop ...................................... 16

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Section1: Summary and Background

Summary

Giant Ibis’s nest searching was conducted three times during the 2013 breeding season. Three nests

were found and regularly monitored. Our results show that one nest succeeded with one chick

fledging. Two nests failed, with one nest was abandoned and one failed with one chick falling from

the nest and one egg remaining in the nest.

Anti-disturbance schemes were set up at five sensitive places where people always go into the

forest. Along with schemes set up the team also held a village meeting to inform local authorities

and people about the importance of conserving Giant Ibis as well as other wildlife and gave them

chance to raise their concerns and share experiences linked with conservation. The meeting was

attended by five village chiefs and ten local conservation groups from five villages, together with

two commune chiefs and several local people.

A total of 49 trapaeng surveys were conducted three times to improve understanding of the Giant

Ibis population in Western Siem Pang. We counted 22 birds in the first survey, 62 birds in the

second and 33 birds in the third survey. Based on the survey counts we estimate that the minimum

population of Giant Ibis in the study area is 62 individuals. This is because the Giant Ibis is a

resident species in Western Siem Pang. Therefore we provide a population estimate based on the

largest survey count as all observed birds will be present all year round. So although some birds

were not observed on the other two survey trips, we assume that these birds were also present, but

not observed during the survey period. So our population estimate is based on knowledge of the

species’ ecology.

On the 30th

of September our team had held a Giant Ibis workshop to disseminate the results of the

CLP project which is participated by 26 key stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment (MoE),

Forestry Administration (FA) and other INGOs. We had invited representative from WCS, WWF,

PRCF and ACCB for presenting the Giant Ibis conservation status at each site. Besides sharing

results and lessons learned between sites, the workshop had two main outputs: i) National Giant Ibis

Working Group was established by assigning Ty Srun as coordinator. ii) Concise Giant Ibis species

action plan was produced by assigning Ty Srun as plan manager.

Background

The Giant Ibis (GI, Pseudibis gigantea) is one of the rarest bird species in SE-Asia and is listed as

critically endangered by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of about 250 individuals.

Causes for its population decline are not known with certainty but habitat loss, disturbance and

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hunting are believed the most likely factors. The breeding ecology of GI in Western Siem Pang

(WSP), the global stronghold for the species, is also poorly known in terms of nest locations,

numbers of nests, predation levels and breeding success. Further, the awareness of local people of

the conservation importance of GI populations in WSP is very low. Our project aims to address

these issues by locating nests, establishing a nest protection scheme, and improving awareness

through posters, education materials and village meetings.

Section 2: Summary of Objectives, Activities and Outputs

Objective 1: To reduce direct threats (hunting and nest disturbance) through

community based nest protection schemes.

Activity 1. Project inception meeting and develop work plan (May 27-28th

, 2013)

Activity 2. Organize training for project team (project procedures, mapping, GIS, GPS, data

collection) (May 29-30th

, 2013)

Activity 3. Develop nest protection protocol based on White-shouldered Ibis nest protection

protocols done by other projects (July 8-15th

, 2013)

Activity 4. Produce nest reward and protection poster and training materials for village meeting

and nest guard training (June and July, 2013)

Activity 5. Village meeting and workshop to inform all stakeholders about the project (nest

reward scheme, nest protection protocol) (June and July, 2013)

Activity 6. Nest finding and guarding activities (June-October, 2013)

Listening post surveys to gather the information on Giant Ibis occurrence and produce base

maps for subsequent nest searches (June 1 – 12nd

, 2013)

The first Giant Ibis’s nest search (June 15 - 26th

, 2013)

The second Giant Ibis’s nest search (July 17 – 23th

, 2013)

Producing protection posters, and material for village meetings and nest tree baffles (August

4-8th

, 2013)

The nest reward scheme and searching by BirdLife staff continued until the breeding season

finished (July-October, 2013)

Nest protection activities (June-October, 2013)

Activity 7. Data entry and analysis (June 2013-May 2014)

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Outputs from Objective 1:

1. On 27-28 May we held a project inception meeting to develop work plans and prepare material

for team training. Work plans for each objective were developed and refined over the course of

several team meetings and discussions with project advisors and partners.

2. We conducted team training for two days (29-30th

May), the first day dealing with project

procedures and how to use maps, GPS and data collection for field mapping. The second

training day dealt with how to produce maps using ArcGIS, such as how to download UTM

from GPS units, add these into ArcMap and how to use other tools and functions in ArcGIS.

Most of the team members already had some knowledge of GPS, maps and GIS, but the training

allowed us to exchange knowledge and experience within the team and ensure the team

members could use these tools properly for the project.

3. To develop a nest protection protocol, we discussed with project advisors and a BirdLife

technical advisor based in Siem Pang. As a result, we did not use nest guard methods but anti-

predator devices with regular monitoring (twice a week). The reason for this choice was that

nest guards were felt to likely cause more disturbance to the GI.

4. BirdLife International had already introduced and informed local people about a nest reward

scheme. So we decided not repeat this nest reward scheme and instead developed a nest

protection scheme (Fig. 1) with extensive input from project advisors and BirdLife staffs.

Figure 1: Translated version of poster produced for GI nest protection scheme at Western Siam Pang

(Actual poster is all in Khmer language)

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5. Two village meetings were held. The first was held in June and organized by BirdLife to inform

local authorities and people about the nest reward scheme. The second was held in August to

inform local authorities and local people about the nest protection scheme organized by Srun

and the CLP project team.

6. Nest searches

In June, Ty Srun (Team Leader) and Mem Mai (Team Member) conducted an initial survey

using listening posts to gather information on the occurrence of Giant Ibis at WSP. The aim of

the survey was to determine the occurrence of Giant Ibis locally and then produce a base map

for subsequent nest searches. The survey was conducted at 12 sites (Fig. 2) with one day spent

at each site to listen for Giant Ibis calls. Listening effort was conducted twice at each site, once

in the evening (from 5 to 7 pm) and once each morning (from 5 to 7 am). Of the 12 survey

sites, six were identified as having the most potential for locating nests due to Giant Ibis calls

being heard from several directions, two sites were identified as secondarily important due to

Giant Ibis calls being recorded from only one direction, while the other three sites were

considered as having the least potential for subsequent nest searches. One actual nest was also

located during the survey at site number two (S2) (Fig. 2).

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Figure 2: Location of listening posts for GI during the field survey in June 2013

Activities to locate GI nests were undertaken twice in June and July 2013 (Fig. 3 & 4). Our first

survey was conducted from 15 to 25 June by two of the project team (Yav Net and Mem Mai)

accompanied by four BirdLife International staff. The purpose of the field trip was to find nests

and to determine GI habitat preferences and nest tree species. Line transects and GI calls were

used to locate nests and a base map of these was produced by Ty Srun. To complete line

transects, three people walked a 3 km transect, each person being spaced 100m apart. These

transect walks were conducted twice daily, from 3 pm to 7 pm and from 5 am to 10 am. During

transect walks, all GI calls heard were registered in relation to their geo-coordinates, compass

direction and estimated distance from observers (Fig. 5). These locations were subsequently

revisited during the follow on survey. Two GI nests were directly observed during the first field

trip (one nest was in the process of being built while eggs had already been laid in the other).

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Figure 3: Project meeting on nest location

activities with BirdLife staffs in WSP

The two trees used for nests were identified by local guides and the project team with reference

to literature and the height and position of the nest on each tree was measured.

The second nest survey was conducted from 17-23 July and was led by Neab Samneang project

officer from BirdLife International based at the study site and one of the project team (Mem

Mai). During the second survey, the survey area was enlarged to include areas further to the

west of local villages by selecting potential sites based on forest structure and previous records

of occurrence, but unfortunately no further GI nests were found by the research team. The

reasons could be because of the lack of baseline information about GI, and that during the

searches GI might have ceased calling due to having already laid their eggs.

Figure 4: Locating Giant Ibis nests in the

field at WSP

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Figure 5: Location of line transects and nest locations at Western Siem Pang

Figure 6: Team meeting with project advisor (Dr Neil Furey) on poster

designs, nest location activities and onward planning

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Nest protection scheme: As part of project plans to develop local awareness, the project team

reviewed various images and design options for a poster to address problems threatening GI at

Western Siam Pang. Several designs were created which were reviewed and commented upon

by project advisors (Fig. 6) including Dr. Neil Furey from the Centre for Biodiversity

Conservation, and Mr. Bou Vorsak, Mr. Sum Phearun and others from the BirdLife

International Cambodia Programme. Simultaneously, the project team began constructing

wooden signboards to display awareness posters (Fig. 7)

Nest protection scheme: To initiate this activity, the project team visited WSP from 4-8 August

and was accompanied by two university students from the Biology Department of the Royal

University of Phnom Penh. The trip centered on a village meeting which was attended by five

village chiefs and ten local conservation group form five villages, together with two commune

chiefs and several local people (Fig. 8 & 9). The purpose of the meeting was to inform local

authorities and people about the importance of conserving GI as well as other wildlife, to

encourage them to avoid threatening activities and also to hear their experiences with the

species and problems they face. All of the participants were pleased to share their experiences

and suggestions, and were happy to join our activities and promised to help conserve GI as well

as other local species.

Immediately after the meeting, we also invited local authorities and people to help us erect the

projects awareness signboards (Fig. 10). These were set up along main roads which local people

frequently use to enter the forest and were mostly located at junctions. Over the course of two

days, five awareness signboards were successfully erected at various key locations. Alongside

construction of the signboards, Ty Srun also spent two nights in the forest to install anti-predator

devices onto the trunks of nesting trees with BirdLife staffs (Fig. 11). The anti-predator devices

were installed before dawn to prevent disturbing the birds.

Figure 8: Building wooden frames for

project awareness posters

Figure 7: Project meeting with village chief

and local communities

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Figure 10: Group photo with local

community

Figure 9: A fruitful trip in constructing and

installing the project poster

The nest reward scheme and nest searching by BirdLife field staff were continued until the

breeding season finished. But unfortunately no further nest were found and informed.

After set up baffle on nesting trees, nest protection activities were applied by did regularly

monitor the nests twice a week until the chicks successfully fledged and leaved the nest. As

the results among the three nests found, one nest was abandoned, one nest was failed with

one chick felled down from the nest and one egg left in the nest, one nest was succeeded

with one chick fledged. For the nest abandoned we didn’t know the reason why GI

abandoned their nest but it was likely because there were highs disturbances occurred

around the nesting tree. Anyway, the nest was built on a small branch of tree (Fig. 12), so

the abandon may also because of the nest was built on an unsuitable branch. For the nest

failed, one chick was fallen down from the nest and one egg was left in the nest. The

Figure 11: Constructing an anti-predator baffle on a

Giant Ibis nest tree at night in WSP (to avoid

disturbance to the nesting birds)

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causation may be caused by strong wind because the nest was built on a small branch of

tree. It also could be caused by disturbances, if there were high disturbances the bird would

be got frighten and flushed away immediately and accidentally kicked the chicks down.

Figure 12: Giant Ibis nest built on an unsuitable small branch

Figure 13: One egg left in the nest and one chick felled down from the above unsuitable nest

Objective 2: To improve understanding of the GI population size and distribution in

Western Siem Pang.

1. Desk study existing data and mapping (selected all trapaengs where GI presented from

BirdLife's biodiversity survey database (Nov 2013)

2. Develop GI survey protocol (Aug 2013)

3. Consult with Ibis experts to finalize the GI survey protocol (Aug - Sep 2013)

4. Develop data sheet and purchasing research materials (Oct 2013)

5. Conducting field survey (January-Mar, 2014)

6. Data entry and analyses (March-May, 2014)

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Desk study existing data and mapping: All trapaeng located in Western Siem Pang stored in

BirdLife database was used for sample sites selection. The total number of trapaengs in

Western Siem Pang is 221 trapaengs, among these trapaengs there were about fifty

trapaengs which is used to be visited or sighted GI from the year of 2008 to 2013. All

trapangs used by GI from 2009 to 2013 were selected for GI survey. For details please see in

the survey protocol attached in the appendices.

Develop GI Survey Protocol: GI survey protocol was produced with widely comments by

the project advisors, Dr. Neil Furey and Mr. Sum Phearun, Mr. Bou Vorsak and BirdLife

technical advisor Mr. Daniel Willcox.

Field survey had conducted three times, once per month from January to March started from

the 20th

to the 29th

every month. A total of 49 trapaengs (waterholes) were surveyed each

month. We counted 22 birds in the first survey, 62 birds in the second and 33 birds in the

third survey.

Based on above survey counts we estimate that the minimum population of Giant Ibis in the

study area is 62 individuals. This is because The GI is a resident species in Western Siem

Pang. Therefore we provide a population estimate based on the largest survey count as all

observed birds will be present all year round. So although some birds were not observed on

the other two survey trips, we assume that these birds were also present, but not observed

during the survey period. So our population estimate is based on knowledge of the species’

ecology.

Figure 14: Group photo and data record during field survey

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Figure 15: Some key wildlife took during field survey

Objective 3: To develop the conservation action plan and result dissemination through a final

workshop.

1. Analyze and produce project output for workshop (report and presentations)

2. Invite all key stakeholders and partners

3. Develop and prepare workshop material and equipment

4. Lunch workshop to share project output with all stakeholders and discuss on conservation

action plan for GI

5. Develop conservation action plan for GI and process of peer-review

6. Develop project technical report and process of peer-review

7. Result publication and dissemination to all stakeholders and donor


All data from the field work were analyzed and prepared for workshop.

Twenty nine key stakeholders from the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Forestry

Administration (FA), Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Center for Biodiversity

Conservation (CBC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wildlife Fund (WWF),

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Save Cambodia Wildlife (SCW), Pannasastra University of Cambodia (PUC), International

Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Conservation International (CI), Samveasna

Center for Wildlife Conservation (SCWC), Bird Club in Cambodia, staff of BirdLife in

Cambodia (Jonathan Eames, Bou Vorsak, Robin Loveridge and Sum Phearun) and including

five CLP project team members (Ty Srun, Yav Net, Hong Lina, Thi Sothearen and Mem

Mai). But the actual total participants who had attending the workshop is only twenty six.

Giant Ibis Consultancy Workshop was held on 30 of September, 2014. The workshop has

four main objectives. 1) to disseminate the result from CLP project in Western Siem Pang

IBA which was presented by Ty Srun (CLP team leader). 2) to sharing lesion learned

between sites about GI conservation in Cambodia. We had invited Simon Mahood, Thong

Sokha and Rours Vann from WCS to present about Giant Ibis conservation in Preah Vihea

Protected Forest and in Kolen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Sok Ko and Prum Sovanna

(WWF) presented on Giant Ibis conservation in Mondul Kiri Protected Forest, Thou Veasna

(PRCF) presented on Giant Ibis conservation in Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary and Toby

Bakos and Oliver Gray-Read (ACCB) presented about their activities related to Giant Ibis

conservation. 3) to form GI working group in Cambodia. At the end of workshop a formal

Giant Ibis Working Group was formed and assigned Ty Srun as the Giant Ibis Working

Group leader which is responsible for coordinate Giant ibis Conservation in Cambodia. 4) to

develop Giant Ibis species action plan. The workshop has widely discussed on Giant Ibis

Conservation by come up with many potential problems and solutions. Through the

workshop we got a draft of ideas for action plan development and the workshop also

assigned Ty Srun as the plan manager responsible for action plan development and

circulation and coordinating action plan implementations. We finally have got a concise

Giant Ibis species action plan for conserving Giant Ibis in Cambodia. This should be the best

outcome that we got from the CLP project in supporting and conserving our national symbol

bird.

Figure 16: Presentation and group discussion during Giant Ibis workshop

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Section 3: Achievements and Impacts

Achievements

All team members clearly understand project procedures and especially the project

approaches, field methods and how to use GPS and GIS.

Nest finding protocol was produced.

The nest protection protocol was finalized by putting anti-natural predator baffles and does

regularly monitoring.

Five villages related to resource uses in Western Siem Pang attended the project village

meeting, including two commune chiefs. These were all informed about the nest protection

scheme and the projects aims, works and also the important of conservation. Those who

attended the meeting will share these experiences to people in their home villages.

Three GI nests were found and anti-predator baffles to protect the nests were installed on the

nest trees.

Ten observers included BirdLife staff and CLP team member were trained in advanced on

how to identify Giant Ibis, Giant Ibis age class, using compass, GPS, using data form and

also survey technic.

After the survey finished the highest number of Giant Ibis we have got is 62 individuals.

Through the final workshop we had built a National Giant Ibis Working Group and produced a

concise Giant Ibis Species Action Plan for long term conserving Giant Ibis in Cambodia.

Impacts

CLP team member improve capacity in field research included using field research equipment such

as compass and GPS.

Local people understand about the important of conserving Giant Ibis as well as other wildlife

animals and get involved in conservation.

Nest searching protocol was used by BirdLife International Cambodia Programme in the year 2014

and found four Giant Ibis nest in July and could be increase in August. This verified that the method

can apply in the future.

We are the first team that tried to do Giant Ibis population estimation. So, if the method we used is

effective and acceptable, it will be used by other organization in the future.

We have formed GI working group to build a strong collaboration for conserving GI.

We have produced a concise species action plan for long term conserving GI.

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Problems encountered and potential solutions

Which project activities and outcomes have been problematic and in what way, and how has this been

overcome?

We could not find enough human resources to carry out the GI census as originally planned. We

therefore changed the method a little bit from simultaneously counting at all trapaengs to dividing

the trapaengs into five zones or groups and doing the census one zone at a time.

Please detail any problems that the project has encountered or deviations from original project plans.

Describe how these problems were addressed and what solutions were found to deal with these issues (for

example with project management or administration).

We’ve got problems with the time involvement in the project team member Ty Srun, Yav Net, Hong

Lina and Thi Sothearen due to we all were busy with research and writing thesis leading to late

submission of the project report. We had asked Kiragu (CLP) for no-cost extension for to address

this problem.

Please state important lessons which have been learnt through the course of the project so far.

We have learned about financial management with advices from BirdLife staff, project management,

field work technic, learned to collaborate with other NGOs as well as government agencies and team

working.

When we began the project, awareness and interest in the value of biodiversity was very low

among project stakeholders. As the project progressed however, this gradually changed to

them agreeing with our ideas and seeing the importance and need for conservation.

We found that the support from local stakeholders and specialist advisors was critical to our

capacity building and research work because our mentors helped us to avoid mistakes and

built our knowledge, while our local stakeholders helped us to solve many logistical

problems and understand far more about Western Siem Pang and its conservation issues.

Future planned activities

Now we are preparing journal article on the status of Giant Ibis conservation output for Cambodia

Journal of Natural History (CJNH) and hope we can get it for publishing soon.

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Section 4: Appendices

Appendix 1: Giant Ibis Nest Finding Protocol

1. Background

Giant Ibis is a very shy bird and very sensitive to the disturbances. Its nest is built on the big tree

where there are fewer or no disturbances. Its rarest and its behavior make us very hard to find its

nest location. GI call is very loudly especially during the mating time. GI generally frequently call

two times per day, once in the morning (from 5:00 to 5:30 am) and once in the evening (from 6:00

to 6:30 pm) but in the morning is more frequently than in the evening. Using its calling may make

us easier in finding its nest and roost.

2. Methods

Two methods listening post and belt line transect will be apply for GI nest find. Field work will be

conducted 8 days from 6th

to 13th

June, 2014.

2.1 Listening Post

Listening post will be used to detect the location of GI occurrence and then observers follow the

calling direction for finding nest location. Due to GI call most frequently in the morning so listening

post will be conducted only in the morning start from 4:30 am. To cover larger observation area we

can do many listening posts in one day by divide observers into groups with at least two observers

for each listening post or each group. After heard its calling the two observers will follow the call

direction to find its nest. To avoid nest or roost disturbing, observers will be stayed and observed

the bird at a suitable distant from the nest or roost found.

2.2 Belt Line Transect

In case the birds call very far and stopped calling before the observers arrived at nesting trees, belt

transect will be applied for continue nest finding. Observers will walk as belt transect with 100

meters apart from each other toward the previous heard calling direction. Anyway, if any listening

post birds call come from many directions the remaining direction will conducted belt transect for

nest finding start from the listening post because two observers can follow calling at only one

direction.

2.3 Material

To assist in nest finding we need some materials such as:

- Binoculars

- GPS

- Compass

3. Training

Survey team need to be trained about the survey procedure and identify the calling of GI clearly.

Also train how to use GPS, Binocular and compass for assisting nest finding.

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Appendix 2: Giant Ibis Survey Protocol

Justification

As with many dry forest species, GI is widespread but in low densities, and relies on a

habitats matrix including waterholes, grasslands, and undisturbed roosting and nesting sites. WSP

contains significant suitable habitat (BirdLife, 2012), and GI is confirmed from the site, making it

one of only a small number in northern and eastern Cambodia. However, the size and conservation

status of the GI population is unknown. The study aims to improve understanding population size

and distribution of GI in Western Siem Pang, which will help support the process of designation as

a protected area, and provide FA with improved management information.

1. Background

Giant Ibis is the national bird of Cambodia and it has been considered as a “flagship

species” in the region, along with White-shouldered Ibis. This nomination is expected to help

increase public awareness and contribution in protecting biodiversity within the region. These

flagship species also serve as health indicator of the forest habitats because it relies on a habitat

matrix including waterholes, grasslands, and undisturbed roosting and nesting sites. Equally

important, it is believed that they also function as “umbrella species.” If we could successfully

protect these species, it means we have protected other wildlife, especially waterbird species

occupying the same stretches of habitats. For these reasons, the conservation of Giant Ibis deserves

exceptional endeavors.

Western Siem Pang (WSP) is considered as one of important bird area (IBA) classified by

BirdLife International, supporting at least five critically endangered of waterbirds species. Currently

research studied has proved that WSP is one of the most important habitat for White-shouldered

Ibis in the world while information of Giant Ibis from the same ibis family still unclear.

Clearly scientific information about the species is needed to produce appropriate long term

conservation action plan for conserving the species. Today, the information of Giant Ibis is still

poorly known and the cause or causes of the population decline cannot be pinpointed with scientific

certainty. The population status and its distribution are still not widely known both in Cambodia and

Laos. If we want to effectively conserve the species; further scientific research should be conducted

to update its population status and distribution, to investigate its breeding requirements (including

breeding season foraging ecology), demography, seasonal movements and threats identification.

Therefore, the aim of this survey is to improve understanding population size, distribution and key

feeding sites of GI in Western Siem Pang.

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Research Objectives

To improve understanding of the population size and distribution and key feeding sites of GI in

Western Siem Pang.

2. Methods

Foraging sites base counting (bird counting at trapaengs) was used to estimate the

population size of GI in Western Siem Pang.

2.1 Bird Census at Trapaeng

2.1.1 Trapaengs Selection

Trapaengs (forest pools) are one of the most important foraging habitats for GI and other

waterbirds, especially during the dry season. To estimate the GI population, bird counting at

foraging site base (trapaengs) was used. All trapaengs records of GI sighted from January to March

between 2009 and 2013 stored in BirdLife's database were selected for the study. There are about

forty nine trapaengs that have been recorded with GI sighted from January to March. These 49

trapaengs were used for GI counting (Table 1 & Fig. 1).

Table 1: Selected Trapaengs for GI Census

ID T.Name Co_X Co_Y Year

1 T.Boeung 645233 1567080 2010

2 T.Snor (1) 641549 1570430 2012

3 T.Chroung Touch 635050 1573200 2011

4 T.Thmear (1) 639623 1567643 2012

5 T.Thom 643167 1557731 2009

6 T.Khtum (1) 633248 1567820 2010

7 T.Krous 649018 1567750 2011

8 T.Boeung Kdouch 621821 1569191 2010

9 B.Nava 627698 1581192 2010

10 B.Kampha 631670 1581077 2010

11 B.Chrey 621353 1571256 2009

12 T.Chhouk 644409 1566521 2010

13 T.Anchagn Tanhorth 632745 1572659 2009

14 T.Bac Changoeur 640933 1575205 2011

15 T.Thlok 628285 1569402 2010

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16 B.Mohasena 640309 1580467 2010

17 T.Robong 639287 1577696 2010

18 T.Lumtier 638227 1564905 2010

19 T.Phum Seng 629034 1559222 2010

20 T.Svay Chas 625640 1567721 2011

21 T.Anchagn Chha'eh 633455 1572962 2011

22 T.Pranor Prov 632493 1571837 2011

23 T.Nan Ghang 648977 1564302 2011

24 T.Tror Kourn 635869 1568448 2011

25 T.Chrong Thom 636749 1574432 2011

26 T.Sang Khor 626070 1564483 2011

27 T.Khmun 632986 1566984 2009

28 T.Tra Khlor 639220 1574493 2009

29 T.Socrom 630454 1572051 2012

30 T.Svay 646539 1565756 2012

31 T.Trach 634305 1567292 2012

32 T.Krawpur 639139 1564574 2009

33 T.Kaneik 633742 1573357 2011

34 T.Rolum Thmor 636458 1562525 2010

35 Veal Kriel 631755 1567949 2012

36 T.Sampau 637298 1572037 2011

37 T.Kbal Krabey 636292 1574642 2008

38 T.Karkoh 1 626825 1567707 2008

39 T.Nhor 1 645646 1566717 2010

40 T.Snaor 2 623400 1568601 2010

41 T.Pumsaeng Toych 640101 1577398 2010

42 T.Peam Trach 630962 1576114 2009

43 T.Sre Trach 629250 1575238 2013

44 T.Tuol 639755 1573481 2012

45 T.Prey Chas Krabey 632514 1578885 2012

46 T.Tmear Sa-oy 625531 1565472 2011

47 T.Na Klor 642253 1575272 2010

48 T.Tamai 632945 1578257 2010

49 T.Kou1 630733 1574994 2010

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3.1.2 Bird Counting Strategies

The field work was conducted from January to March, 2014 with once time a month started

on the 20th

of each month. Due to the territory defend, GI generally occupied a few trapaengs and

not move too far from the foraging sites. To avoid GI move from one zone to another all trapaengs

selected were classified into zones or groups based on the distances between those trapaengs. The

trapaengs located less than 3 Km apart from one another were put into the same group or zone. All

trapaengs located within one zone were survey in the same day and time so that have no double

counting bird within in each zone. The surveys were conducted only in the morning time and started

from 5: 30 to 8:00 am at all sites (trapaengs). All bird sighted and/or heard will be recorded,

including any that are flushed on approach to trapeangs. To assist in data analysis the time and

distances of sighting birds, fly in direction and time, fly out direction and time, time and distances

of calling birds were carefully recorded. To avoid disturbance observers require to calmly walking

at least 500 meters toward trapaengs. To ensure they can manage to get at survey sites on time

observers were slept in groups in the forest near to the sites during each survey.

3. Training

Training will be conducted on December 27, 2013. The training focus on five main points:

1) How to use map and GPS to assist in finding trapaengs during census

2) Survey procedure and methods

3) How to use data forms and record data

4) How to identify GI calls

5) How to use compass for finding direction and measuring angle assisting in listening post

data record

Note: - All sections will be linked with practices.

- Materials (Maps, GPS, Compass, Survey Forms and GI Calls).

Concise Species Action Plan (Cambodia) Plan manager: Ty Srun

Drafted October 2014

Giant Ibis - Thaumatibis gigantea

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Appendix 3: Giant Ibis Species Action Plan

Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea)

Distribution and population

Thaumatibis gigantea is mostly confined to northern Cambodia, where it is probably still fairly

widespread but extremely rare; with a few birds from the same population observed in extreme

southern Laos (BirdLife International 2001). There is a fairly recent record from Yok Don National

Park, Vietnam (Anon 2003). Its historical range spanned southern Vietnam and south-eastern and

peninsular Thailand, where it is now extinct. Available data suggest that it has a patchy distribution

across Cambodia (T. Clements et al. in litt. 2007). Some areas of high density exist in the Northern

Plains, including Preah Vihear Protected Forest and Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary (with 30-40

nests monitored annually [T. Evans in litt. 2012) and Western Siem Pang IBA (possibly 40 pairs [H.

Wright in litt. 2012]). Other areas appear to have relatively low density populations, which may be

clustered in some cases (Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, Seima Protection Forest [Bird et al. 2007,

WCS/FA 2006], Mondulkiri Protected Forest [T. Gray in litt. per T. Evans] and Phnom Prich

Wildlife Sanctuary [Claassen and Ou 2007]) (T. Clements et al. in litt. 2007, T. Clements et al. in

prep.).

Ecology

Singles, pairs or small parties occur in marshes, pools, wide rivers and seasonal water-meadows in

open, predominantly deciduous, dipterocarp lowland forest, although it seems to be dependent on

soft mud around seasonal pools (trapaengs). Its diet comprises a variety of invertebrates,

crustaceans, eels, small amphibians and reptiles. It frequently feeds in soft mud, but forages on all

substrates at trapaengs. It nests in trees, with a preference for large Dipterocarpus (Keo 2008),

generally more than 4 km from human habitation (Keo 2008).

Trend and population

The Giant ibis has an extremely small population, which has undergone an extremely rapid decline

as a result of hunting, disturbance and lowland deforestation. It is likely to continue to decline

extremely rapidly owing to on-going deforestation and human disturbance. It therefore qualifies as

Critically Endangered. A minimum population estimate is 230 mature individuals, and roughly 345

individuals in total.

Conservation challenges

It has declined as a result of hunting, wetland drainage for agriculture and deforestation. It relies on

seasonal pools, which in the past were perhaps maintained by the now much depleted megafauna.

There is a lack of precise information on population estimates for the different sites where Giant Ibis

is known to occur and this impedes prioritisation of conservation effort.

Conservation action

Targeted species conservation actions to date have included the development and use of baffles on

Giant Ibis nest trees to protect against predation of eggs. This has been used in Preah Vihear

Protected Forest and trialling in Western Siem Pang. WWF in Mondulkiri Protected Forest also use




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nest guardians. BirdLife, WCS and WWF are undertaking these targeted interventions in connection

with wider sustainable habitat management and law enforcement initiatives.

1 STATUS AND POPULATION TRENDS (link to BirdLife factsheet – click here)

IUCN status Critically Endangered

Global population and trend 230 mature individuals, decreasing

Key delivery mechanisms

Predicted impact of climate space shift Unknown (no BirdLife climate map available)

Species Guardian

Species Champion

Flagship?1 National Bird of Cambodia

Image copyright Giant Ibis range map (BirdLife International)

2 ISSUES AFFECTING RECOVERY 2a Current threats to conservation status

Threat Threat

rank Scope2 Severity

3

Proven impact /

Assumed /

Future threat

Habitat conversion (large-scale Economic

Land Concessions)

1 Most Rapid

Proven

Habitat loss- logging 2 Most Rapid Proven

Indirect disturbance e.g. human activity

in surrounding landscape

3 Most Rapid

Proven

Habitat degradation (ecological

succession) through absence of grazing,

and particularly wallowing ungulates that

naturally maintain trapeangs (buffalo,

elephant, wild pig, Eld’s deer)

4

All of

population Moderate

Proven

Habitat conversion: small scale 5 Most Moderate Proven

1 Flagship: Detail whether or not the species is a flagship for a group or a particular habitat.

2 Scope: all (>90% of population) most (50-90%), some (10-50%), few (<10%).

3 Severity (on part of population affected): rapid (rapid deterioration, >30% over 10 years or 3 generations), moderate

(10-30%), slow (1-10%), none (<1%).

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22697536




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agricultural expansion

Poor scientific understanding of range,

population and trend

6 most/all of

population/s

ome

Moderate

Human fishing in trapeangs and removal

Giant Ibis food source

7 Most Moderate

Assumed

Hunting of adult GI 8 Some Moderate Assumed

Poisoning of trapeangs 9 Some Moderate/slow Proven

Habitat loss due to a planned future

hydrodam development

10 Few Potentially Rapid

Future

Human collection of eggs and chicks 11

Some Slow Proven

Natural predator (snake, crow, lizard and

civet)

12 Some Slow

Proven

Drying trapeangs in dry season &

absence of suitable habitat (Climate

Change)

13 All of

population Slow

Assumed /

Future

Genetic isolation 14 All of

population Slow

Assumed/

Future

Natural disasters (heavy rain and wind

causing chicks to fall from the nest)

15 All of

population Slow

Proven

Pesticide use affecting viability of eggs 16 Presence

unknown Slow

Hypothetical

2b Constraints to delivery of conservation action

Constraints Solution

1 Data deficiency on population status, distribution and trend

Coordinated national survey and priority exploratory surveys should be conducted: Mondulkiri PF, Lomphat WS, and other sites with suitable habitat but thus far unconfirmed populations of Giant Ibis

2 Corruption: disengaged law enforcement teams and governing institutions

Strengthening of governing institutions through intensive site based support

3 Poor awareness among local communities of the impacts their daily activities are having on Giant Ibis populations

Undertake awareness raising campaigns to increase engagement of local communities in Giant Ibis conservation

3 TARGETS FOR RECOVERY (targets must be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound; Aim By 2024, a stable and increasing population of Giant Ibis inhabits a network of well-protected sites. Objectives

1. Increase the size of the Giant Ibis population breeding within protected areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Protected Forests).




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2. Promote innovative solutions to site management within and beyond the formal protected areas system.

3. To more completely understand the range and population size and trend of the Giant Ibis. Outcomes

1. All protected areas within the range of Giant Ibis are managed appropriately. 2. Important sites outside the formal protected areas system are managed appropriately. 3. Conservation research and monitoring of the species informs species management.

Organisation specific targets Birdlife:

(Lomphat) By 2018 population census will be understood and key habitat will be identify and

sustainable management.

(Siem Pang) By 2018 new conservation concession will be granted for GI and other critically

endangered wildlife species conservation.

Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS) Short term 3 years

a) Population status of GI will be known and protected.

b) Ally key habitat will be identify and protected.

c) Local community awareness on GI conservation has been improved.

d) At least 5 nests will be found and protected in the next three years.

e) Base-line population of GI in LWS will be identified.

Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary (LWS) Long term 10 years

a) The sub-population of GI at LWS will be stable or increasing.

b) At least 15 nest of GI will be found and protected in the next 10 years in LWS.

WWF:

By 2020 a new protected area will be established in the central Mekong that includes verified

records of Giant Ibis occupancy.

Mondulkiri Protected Forest core zone & PA with effective law enforcement and a population of 50

GI

WCS:

PVPF and KPWS double the amount of foraging habitat for GI by 2020.

In PVPF and KPWS find at about 30 nests of GI by 2020.

ACCB:

By 2016 80% of rangers from FA base in the area where GI occur get training in effective patrolling

(patrol hunting and illegal logging).

Identify at least one new breeding or forage habitat of GI by 2016.

MoE:




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By 2024 all habitat sites of GI under the management of MoE will be restored or Sustainably

managed.

4 KEY PARTNERS

Forestry Administration

Ministry of Environment

BirdLife International Cambodia Programme

Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia

World Wildlife Fund Cambodia

Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB)

PRCF

Fauna and Flora International

Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC)

Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation 5 KEY PUBLICATIONS

An Dara. 2008. Agricultural expansion and its effects on breeding habitat of Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, northern Cambodia. MSc Thesis, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of International Environmental and Agricultural Science.

Anon. 2003. Endangered species rediscovered in Yok Don National Park, Dak Lak province. The Babbler: BirdLife in Indochina 2(2): 12-13.

BirdLife International. 2001. Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

Claassen, A. H.; Ou, R. 2007. A stream and wetland survey of southwestern Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas, with a focus on large waterbirds. WWF Greater Mekong,Cambodia Country Programme., Phnom Penh.

Keo, O. 2008. Ecology and conservation of the Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea in Cambodia. BirdingASIA 9: 100-106.

Keo, O.; Collar, N. J.; Sutherland, W. J. 2009. Nest protectors provide a cost-effective means of increasing breeding success in Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea. Bird Conservation International 19(1): 77-82.

WCS/FA. 2006. Threatened Species of the Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area. Wildlife Conservation Society - Cambodia Program, and Forestry Administration., Phnom Penh, Cambodia.




1

6 ACTIONS TOWARDS RECOVERY

Action (including

specific threat that this

action intends to meet)

Priority4 Timing

5

Constraints

and

comments

Additional

Funds

required?

Y/N

Potential

funding

sources

Progress in 2014

(Threat 2) Capacity

building: local

authority, training in

forest law

High Now

Awareness raising in

communities High Now

Potential to

share

awareness

raising

resources

between

organisations

(2, 8, 9) Improve law

enforcement High Now Expensive

Currently being

undertaken by

BirdLife, WCS, WWF

(4) Encourage local

community to raise

buffalo

- Research to

understanding why they

sell the buffalo

-Purchase of buffalo

High Now

Commercial

not our area

of expertise

Expensive

Zoning- conditional use

agreements,

development of site

specific management

plans

High Now

Building basic

scientific knowledge,

rang, population and

trend

-Priority: survey

Mondulkiri

-Priority: survey

Lomphat

High

Standardising

methodology for

Census

High

4 Priority: essential (recovery highly unlikely without this action – only one in the research/monitoring section), high

(action required in short-term for recovery; rank 1, 2 etc within each section), medium (action required in long-term for recovery), low (action useful, but recovery can continue without it).

5 Timing: now (happening/required now), short (within the next 4 years), long (beyond 4 years); add the duration in

brackets, for example: now (2 yrs).




2

Promote investment

from private sector in

conservation

High Now

Potential to

attract

people

Nest protection baffles High Now Site specific

Develop a reference

directory of sites

containing GI

(advocacy tool)

Medium Long

Partially achieved

through species

information and IBA

occurrence data in

birdlife datazone?

Creation of new

protected areas Medium

Now-

long

term

Political will WWF submitting

application for new PF

(4, 12) Deepening

trapeangs

Potential to

explore

WWF-

Now

(3, 4, 7) Make new

trapeangs Questionable

Campaign against a

planned dam

development

WWF- High Now

(3,8,9) Livelihood

improvement: livestock

(rewarding

consideration friendly

behaviour)

Complex,

biodiversity

goal should

be clearly

identified

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22697536/additional





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